Engineless treadle control for vehicle doors



4 Sheets-Sheet l ENGINELESS TREADLE CONTROL FOR VEHICL DOORS Jan. 13, 1931.

Jan. 13, 1931. H. RowNTRl-:E

ENGINELESS TREADLE CONTROL FOR VHICLE DOORS Filed Jan. 7, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 13, 1931. H. RowNTREE 1,788,409

ENGxNELEss TREADLE CONTROL FOR VEHICLE DOORS Filed Jan. 7, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 13; 1931. H, RQWNTREE l 1,788,409

ENGINELESS TREADLE CONTROL FOR VEHICLE DOORS lvwemcoz Hara/cl Row/7 free .35% h is @whom/ms #M Patented Jan.v 13, 1931 Y maite lUN:Irizn TATFES PATENT or eine iIARoLD nowivrrnnor sciiasnenn New .Yonx, residuen 'ro ,N'A'rroNAL ENEJMATIC CQMPANY, `0F NEW YORK, 2N. A oonrone'rron or WEST VIRGINIA ENGINELEss TREADIJE CONTROL 'Fon VEHICLEl noces Application fiiefiiamiary 7, 192e. seriai VNo;feli5,o9i.

This invention relates lin operatingdevces. One of the obgects of general to door ,A further object of thisnvention isthef provision of `a vertically movable treadle plate in the platforinof vehicles connected tothe doorsn thereof so that the treadle de? scends 'under the weio'htof a passenger to canse the doorsto open.

of a deviceof this type Vhaving close the dooispwhen itisclearedofiweight.

A further object of thisgi'nvention includes,A

in one form, the addition` ofa'f-folding step adaptedto descend with 'the treadle. f

when desired. r

A further object of this-invention istlie provision of a treadle plate. vin `the floor `of vehicles adjacent their doors andV connected thereto to open the doors under the weight of a passenger, said treadleheinfg adapted to move downwardly to provideran yintermediate steph'etween the ca'r platform andthe ground. l Y A further objecty of ,this inventionl is Vthe provision of adepressihle treadle fplate having .a stepmorinted thereoin-said'treadle heing connected tothedoors to open them asit ipressechfthe .oalr piatform, the treadle and Vthe step formingaseries of stepsrfrom the car platform level tothe-ground.

Another object of this iventio'n :is the bymeans yof this invention.'

`further object of this invention is theV provision means for preventing the too'rapid descent of thet'readle, which 'meansis' adapted to return the treadle to v its raisedjposition and treadle provision of i means ofthe type where fthel treadle and step descend for controlling'v the downward rateof travel of the treadle` and Step and adaptedto return'them to normal position when relieved of weight.-

A further olojectV ofthis inventionisft'he' provision of 'means [for locking the ytreadle and step against downward movementwhen desired, said lockingmeans iin one formsof Y theinvention being adapted tofold andfuii- ,fold the step.`

These and otherobjects, as iwi/ll; appear from lthefollowing description, are secured This invention resides substantiall7 inthe combination,"constructin, arrangement, and relative location of parts allas will more. fullyapp'ear inthe following 'disclosure when taken in conjun'ction with thedrawing-gs.'\v

The various figures: inthe drawings, :which have beengifven for purposes of Aillustration only, illustrate various formsofthe `invention.l

Figure lfis sential parts broken away;

FiggZis afront elevational vicelshowing Vthe doors `vvit'h\ vipew of the, de.-

Fig. 5 is fafi'ontgelevational viewo'f a modilied form of the invention employing a folding step; Fig. 6 is as side elevational view form' of the invention shown .in`

Fig. 5,;

Fig; 7 `isa cross sectional view taken en the line 7-7 of'F .5; f

'a Side elevational view of-.thev device as applied to a vehicle withthe unesous partsof'V the vehicle broken away-.t0 more-clearly il-V ln'strate the purposes of this invention Afurther object of l this invention 'isthe provision .of locking means for preventing` the descent of the treadleortreadle and stepV of modified Fig-.Sis aside elevational'riewgo'f:almodifiedy form of the Adevice employing a folding step mounted on the vehicleibody;

Fi-g. 9 is anotlieifniodiiication oftlie'device showing the foldingfstep mounted on the rig-io issaiiafui-ihef mancante ,Offen Y Aleviesemployinga foldingl step ineunte'd on the vehlclegand folded. In other forms of the device the fold ing step, which operates in the same mannen' (JUV Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view of one of the features of the device of Fig. 10.

Y Heretofore it hasbeen the usual custom in various forms of vehicles, suchas street. cars,

plicated and expensive andis subject to easy' derangement requiring skilled workers to keep it in eflicientfoperative condition. By means ofthe apparatus disclosed hereinafter tliiscomplicated apparatus may be eliminated and theopening and the closing operations of the doors effected by the passenger himself. i In the various forms ofthe device which l' have conceived employing the kprinciples of this inventionra vertically movable treadle plate is mounted in the vplatform of the ve-V isadapted to hicle adjacentfthe doors and move downwardly under the eight of passenger standing thereonf Connections are employed between tlie'movable readle' and the vertical shafts on' which the doors'are mounted so that as the v`treadle descends the doors are-opened. Devices are employed for limiting the downward rate of movement of the treadle and-hence the speed with which the doors open. Thesev samedevices 'are 'ar-A ranged to cause the return upward movement of the treadle to itszn'oimal position to effect the closing operation of the doors when the passenger alights from the treadle. ln some ,forms of devices a folding` step is 'employed which is connected to the means Efor locking the treadle against downward movement so that as the treadle is unlocked the step is unis mounted on the treadle to descend with it. The treadle plate in its lower limit of down.

ward movement provides'in conjunction with j the platform of the vehicle a-'stepintermediate the platform and the groundz In those formsof the device where the 'folding 'step 'is mounted on the treadle itv likewise prof vides an additional step between the` platform level of the car and the ground level. Each'ofjthese forms of the: device may be employed for. the entrance and exit ways of the vehicle but it ispreferable to have those forms of device in which the foldingl step is mounted directly on the vehicle framework for entrance ways. f'

' For aV betternnderstanding of the inven-v -tion reference is made to the dra-wings in which the top ofthe vehicle is indicated ini general at 1. Thevehicle platform is shown.

at 2'provided with a" well 'or' opening 3 the/feinwithin` which thetreadle plate 4 is mounted soV as to be Von a level with the vplatform 2 whenin its normal raisedposition. the lower side of the platform are .two U- shaped brackets comprising the vertical portions 5, horizontal portions -6 at one end, and theliorizontal portions 7 atatheother end. The horizontal portions 7 are on the upper ends of the brackets andarebolted to the underside ofthe platform' 2.` The distance between the arms 5 of the U-shaped brackets is such that the treadle ,may be guided in its upper and downward movement therebetween.V Mountedon the horizontal portions 6 of the brackets are the bearings 8 within which' are rotatably mounted the .two parallel shafts 9 and 10 which areencircled respectively by the springs 1l and 12. @ne end of each of the springsis attached or fixed to the bearing or bracket'l-andthe otherend is attachedto the corresponding shaft softhat upon rotation of the shafts the springs'are tensioned to Aresist their-rotation.

The collars`l3 and S14 to which the arms 17 and 18, respectively,"arer attached are n'iounted on the shaft 91 forrotation there with.V The collars 15 andjlhto which the varms 19 and 20 are attached are mounted'on the shaft 10 `for*'rotation th-erewith. The lower faces ofthe collars are-provided with intermeshingteeth 43, as clearly shown ink 2; The free Aendsvfofeach of the arms 17, 18, 19 and 20are connected by links to the undersurfac'e of Vthe'treadle 4.- As clearly shown, for instance in Figs. 1 and 2, the arms 17 and 2O are pivot-ally connected by the links 21' and 122-to "the underside of the treadle plate 4. 4The shaft 10 is also -providedfwithmjthe short' arm 23 which is connectedto the pistonrod 44' of the dashpot'24. The door'shafts 26 and 33 are shown mounted in bearings25 and'40 at a level with the car platform and their upper-ends are mounted in f-thefbearings 30 :on the vehicle top 1. Brackets 27V and 34 are mounted on the underside of thetreadle plate v4 adjacent'tlie door'shafts 26 and'r33,rrespectively. These ,bracket-s (of which onlyV one is shownin Fig..

1) are provided"with` nuts or collars 28 which encircle the door shafts.' yAs isv-ap parent from "the drawings,y the door: shafts vproject' belowfthelevel ofV the'calr platform.

The lower portions of the shafts are Veach provided witha lspiral slotfor Groove' 29 which has `avvery high pitch.' shown in Figi-4, the? nut or collar 28 `which encirclesrthe shaft 26 is provided with short inwardly projectingflugs 28 which ride in' the groovej29." lsfshown in Fig. 4 the shaft 26 is provided withtwo grooves but a larger number'may be employed ifdesired.' Thedoo'rs 3la'nd 32 areshown mounted on the shafts 26 and33,'respeotively. Mounted on thevehicle platform 2is a bearing niember 35 in whichjthe lever-Beispivotally s clearly Y Mounted under the treadle plate toV l'lO "CIV

mecano mounted. This lever extends both above' and ment with the treadle 4f to permit its dovvn- Ward descent under the Weight' of a passenger. As shown in `Fig. 2 short L-shaped brackets are supported onthe'horizontal portions f6 of the U-shaped'brackets and, as

' shown in the dotted position in this figure, v

provide stops to limit the downward movement of thetreadle 4.

Vhen the vehicle comes to a stop to permit the enit of a passenger the car attendant moves Vthe lever 36 to unlock the treadle. The passenger Who Wishes to alight is-standing'on the treadle and When the locky is lWithdrawn Vvthe treadle slowly descends against the resistance of the springs 11 and 12 and f againstthe action of the 'dashpotQLl so that its downward movement is nottoorapid. As the treadle ldescends the arms 17, 18, 19 and 20 are rotatedto the dotted position shown in Fig'. 2. Y t is the movement of these arms "which causes the tensioning-01"- -the'springs` and the movement of the piston in the dashhot. At the same :time as: the treadle de* scends it carries With it the nuts or collarszQS Which through the action of the lugsQS in the 'grooves 29 of thedoorlshatscause the` door 4shafts lto rotate andthereby*open the doors. A 's will be apparent from the dravvings the doers in this case VWillie-pen outwardly. T.Vhen the *treadle-coniles torest'on engaging Withfthe stops i42ft^hle passenger may step therefrom to` the ground. AAs soon asf'the treadle is relieved oi'the weight offtliefpassenger the Ysprings 11 and 1Q/andthe fair com`V pressed in the dashpot '24 'react to cause' the treadle to move upwardly to itsnormal 'postr tion andfattthe Sametime tocauseth'e j doors to close. The attendant then locks Athe treadle against downward movement. 'lt hardly need be pointed out 'here that-many other forms of' locksfmay beemployed tor preventing Vthe ymovement of the treadle` For instance, besides'othertorms of mecha-niM call locks* it ispessible to: eml'oloyV electrically operated or tiuid graessure 'operatedfloclzs `"'hich may readily he-centrblledbyfthe car attendant through the-agency of a switchery valve. itis apparent likewise -thatfthe lock may he interconnected with eithertheouter controls ofthe vehicle or the brakingsystem ot. the vehicle so that Whenthefpouier is shut et? or .the brakes applied the treadle is unlocked. This form of the devicelisparticd larly adapted Ator the' exit Waysot the vehicle ,although I do not Wi'hto nitingfits'use to'fsaide-X `v``Ways;

' tion 4also a;

belunder'stood- In Fig'sy, and 7 l have'illus'tratedanother 'form of thisinvention invvhich afolding stepis employed in c njunctionfwith the treadle plate and mountedo'n brackets att-he underside thereof. las Will be readily Vapparbearings-.on the lower ends ot these brackets is a rotatable shaft 51 to which the short arm is att-ached lor rotation therewith. lvlleuntedon the 'shaft- 51 'for `rotation therewith is a step 54. In :this form of the invention; a second link 53 isnivotally connected Vbetween the lower end of the lever SSandtl-ie free end et the armQ. ldhenthelever moved to unlecl; `the"treadle Vto permit its downward movement tlie;"oltlir1g stepl' is moved from the dotted position shov'ninllig 6 tothe full line position. Mounted onitlze shaft liis a Whichis attached at `one end to' themeinher 56 and hasitsother end attached to one ol'A the arms on Which'the step 554e mounted. Thus, as the'step is moved Afrom its tolded'to unfoldedposition` the springV is tensioned and as a. result ,the spring` aids 'in the return ot' the stepftozits folded position. Aln'this form ofthe device when the treadle is unlocked and the steJ is unfolded a passen-ger on the treadle plate causes descent as well as that ot the unfoldedstep 54.1 lilhen thetreadle plate and stepare cleared'o't the passenger-s Weight they return under the actionv 'ot the springs l1 and v12 andthe air compressed in'thefdashpot 24. Thi; Iiaiticiilaift'orni of'ihe invention is adapted for use in the entrance Ways ot vehicles'rather` than in the exit Ways although it might` be used Yin both exit Ways vand en- Way-s 'the car attendant unlocks the treadle 'by movi the lever 36 and .at the'same'time: untoldsfthefstep 54. which isatsuch a lposition above the ground-levelfas to..permit the passonger toA steplthereon. This causes aV descent ot' theVL step andthe treadle and asV a rresul-tithe doors open. The passenger then.' steps from the stepil to thetreadle plate l' and from the' treadle plateeL to the level ot thecar'plat:termV 2. As the',passengery then L4mores Atremathe treadle into 'the jcar the treadle is -i'reedV Vol" Weight and may vreturn Where it maybe loc'zked.V The `locking opera-A .Vectsthe Yfolding otthe step.

The modification shown inFig. 8 also'em-v iploys a folding step' but in thisfcaseV the foldfing step is'mounted in anysuit-able and Well known' manner on 'the vehicle platform.

Nhenthe' treadleis unlocked by means ofthel tIHD-CQ'WWS'- Thus, whenv used 4in Jentrance i hicle the passenger then steps onto the step then onto the treadle plate d, and his weight on thetrea die plate Zithen causes the doorsto op en.

The important feature to note about this form of the invention is that the treadle plate` is mounted on the outside of the vehicle, so to speak, with reference tothe doors so that access mayv behad thereto before the doors derside vof the treadle vplate and when the treadle plate is unlocked the step is moved to unfolded position. As with the arrangement of Fig. S the treadle plate d is mounted on the outside oi the venicle so that access may be had thereto even when the doors are closed.V 'To gain entrance the passenger steps on 'the unfoldedstep 5d -anddience to the treadle Ll. As soon as his weightis placed onthe stepthe treadle begins to descend and by the time he is on the treadle plate it has fully descended to cause the doors toopen. He then steps up into'the vehicle through the open doors. This form of the device is like-.

wise particularly adapted for the entranceV l.y Y*The combination with a vehicle having `entrance and eXitways therein, doors in said iv ys of vehicles but is vnot limited thereto. In Figs. lOand ll a somewhat modified form of the invention is ein love-d. 'The car .f platform is shown at 2 and supports a lower bearin025 for the ldoor shaft 26 and as before, the treadle plate d is niountedin an opening in the platform 2 and is provided with bracket 27 on which the nut or collar 28 is mounted. -As before, Vvthe lever 36 is pivoted on the car platform and connected b the link 37 to thelock-ing lever 38;' The folc ing step 5d is mounted onthe rotatable shaft 51 j ournalled in bearings on the vehicle framework. The arm 52keyed to the shaft 5l isconnected by the pivoted link 53 to the link .37. rEhe brackets are mounted on the underside of the treadle plate t to form bearing supports for the rotatable shaft 9 which is encircled as before by the spring Il. The under surface ofthe treadle l is likewise provided with brackets llwhich are Pivotally connected to the rods 62 in the slots 63. VOne end of each rod 62 is pivotally mounted in the bracket 6l on theV lower side'of the platform 2. Thebrac-kets fidare provided with short'projecting.armato having the bifur cated ends 66. Y

9 Vis rotatablymounted. The armsG'?, se-

cured to the shaft 9, are each provided at The bracketsn() are pro-Kv vided with thelbearing 68m whichthe shaft inthe bifurcated' end.V yof thefmembers 65.. In this arrangeinentras before thev treadle is-m-ounted on the .Outside ofthe vehicle with respect 'tothe doorsand is particularly7 adapted for the entrance ways of vehicles.

Vhen the treadle is unlocked theA step is at the same time unfolded.- The passenger steps on to the step and frointhe step to the treadle e. rlfhe treadle i descends carrying vith it thebrackets 64! and the member 65., rIhe downward'movement of tlieseelements causes the rotation of the arin' and shaft v spa forth the principles of my inventionl which I ain aware may be embodied in many other formsyof devices. Ido not, therefore, de sire tofbe particularly limited to the construev tions given for purposes of illustration "since"` other forms Vof the device willbe apparent to those skilled'in the art and I vwish it tobe distinctly understood that I am only to be limited by the principles of my invention as defined by the appended claims. i

l/Vhat I .seek toV secure 'by United States Letters Patent isz.

waysand rotatably grooved shafts for said doors, lof vertically movable means adapted to serve as a stepmounted adjacent the doors, togetherswith a plurality of kinematic links connecting said means with said doors through a .collar having a lug thereon adapted to ridefin the groove in said'shafts to cause the operation of the doors upon movement of said means underthe weight offa passenger. 2. The coinbinationwith a vehicle having entrance andexit ways and movable doors in said ways, of al verticallyl movable treadley plate adjacent said doors adapted to serve as a step when .in descended position, locking means for preventing the movement of said treadlek plate, and; means connecting said treadle'plateto said doors whereby the weight of a passenger operates. directly as the door actuating force when said locking means are removed.V

3.- The combination' with a vehicle having entrance land exit` ways and barriers in said ways, of a vertically movable treadle plate mounted in the Vplatform ofthe vehicle adjacent said doors,xmeans`for locking said treadle plateV against movement, and a folding step mounted on said treadle plate for movement therewith.

` 4. The combination with Va vehicle having treadle under the weight ,and causing the ieturnof the treadle when it is relieved of weight, such weight being transi entrance and exit ways :and barriers in said locking means Vfor `unfolding the step when` on rotatable shafts `in said ways, of a vveiti- A cally movable treadle plate mounted in the platform 'of the vehicle midfadapt-efl 'to asa step when in descended position, means includingcollars for said shafts for connecting the treadle plate with the doors for causing their movement upon the downward movement of the treadle, and means for control-ling the downward movement of Vthe of the passeifiger mitted by said first mentioned means to act directly on the barriers to cause said movement. v

6. The combination with a vehicle having entrance and exit ways and barriers mounted on vrotatable shafts in said ways, of a vertically movabletre'adle plate mounted in the platform of the vehicle and adapted to serve as a step when in descended position, continuous mechanical means including collars for said shafts for connecting the treadle plate with the barriers for causing their movement upon the downward movement of the treadle under a passengers weight acting as the door actuating force, means for controllingthe downward movement of the treadle and causing its return, and means for locking the treadle against movement.

7. The combination with a vehicle having entrance and exit ways therein and barriers in said ways, said barriers being mounted on vertical rotatable shafts, of a vertically movable treadle plate mounted in the platform of the vehicle and adapted to serve as a step when in descended position, continuous mechanical means including collars for said shafts mounted on said treadle plateV and associated with the barrier shafts for causing their rotation upon downward movement of the treadle plate under a passengers weight acting as the door actuating force, and means for locking the treadle plate against movement. v

8. The combination with a vehiclehaving entranceand eXit ways therein and barriers in said ways, said barriers being mounted on vertical rotatable shafts, of a vertically movable treadle plate mounted in the platform of the vehicle, means mounted on said treadle plate and associated with the barrier shafts for causing their rotation upon downward movement of the treadle plate, means for preventing too rapid downward movement-'of the treadle, said means beingadapted `to Vrevturn'the treadleto Vraised position, and means for locking-the Vtreadle against movement. 9.' The combination in a vehicle'having entrance 'and `eznt `ways and barriers in said ways, of means mounted in the platform of said vehicle adapted for vertical movement, afolding stepmounted 'on the vehicle, and means for locking said means `against movement, said locking means being adapted to unfold the step when Amoved to unlocking position. i

i t0.' The combination in a vehicle having entrance and exit ways and' barriers 'in said ways, said barriers being mounted von vertical rotatable shafts, of a vertically :movable treadle :plate mounted Ain the platformof the i vehicle, `connecting Vmeans. between ysaid treadleplate and shafts for effecting the movement 'fof the barriers upon the downe` ward Vmovement of the treadlejmeans for cushioning the downward movement ofthe treadle, and -means for returning th`e"treadle to 'raised position. Y.

11: The combination in avehicleliavin'g entrance and 'exit ways 'and barriers in said ways,"said barriers being mounted on vertical rotatable shafts, of a vvertically movable Atreadle plate mounted in the platform of the vehicle, connecting means between said treadle plate and shafts for effecting the movement of they barriers upon'the downwardv movement'oflthe treadle, means for cushioning the 4downward movement of the vtre`adle,-means`for returning th'e treadle to raised position, and means for locking the treadle against movement.

l2. The combination in a vehicle having entrance and exit `ways and barriers'in said ways, said barriers being mounted on vertical rotatable `shafts, of a vertically movable treadle plate mounted in the platform of the vehicle, connecting means between said treadle plate' and shafts for effecting they `movement 4`of they barriers upon the downward movement ofthe treadle, means for cushioning the downward movement of the treadle, means for returning the treadle to raised position, means for locking the treadle against downward movement, a folding step mounted on the treadle, and means connecting the Vlocking lmeans for effecting the unfolding of the step when the treadle is unv locked. r

13. The combination in a vehicle having entrance and eXit `ways therein, movable barriers in said ways, and shafts on which said barriers are mounted, of a treadle plate mounted in the platform of the vehicle and kadaptedto move downwardly under the weight of a passenger and to serve as a st ep when in `descended position, and means including colla-rs for said shafts connecting said treadle plate and shafts yfor 'rotating th`e entrance and exit Ways and movable barriers shafts as the treadle plate descends underthe Weight of a4 passenger. l Y

14; The combination in a` vehicle having entrance and exit Ways and movablebarriers mounted on rotatable shafts in said Ways, of

aftreadle plate mounted eXteriorly of said barriers and adapted to serve as a step on mounted on rotatable shaftsin said Ways, of

a treadle plate mounted eXteriorly of said barriers and adapted for vertical movement, means for locking said treadle plate against movement, connections between said treadle 2()V of the barriers upon movementof the treadle plate and shafts for effecting the movement plate, a folding step mounted on said treadle plate, and means for unfoldingv said step; v

' 16. The combination in a` vehicle having mounted on rotatable shafts" in said Ways, of a treadle plate mounted eateriorlyv of said barriers and adapted for vertical movement, means for locking said treadle plate against movement, connections between said treadle plate and barrier shafts forV effecting the movement of the barriers upon movement of the treadle plate, a folding stepl mountedon the vehicle, and means for simultaneously unlocking the treadle plate to `permit its down- Ward movement and for unfolding the step.

17. The combination With a vehicle having passageways therein, doors in said passagevvays and vertical gr'ooved rotatable shafts for said doors, of means, including a descendible treadlev plate adapted to serve as a step mechanically interconnected With a vertically movable collar having a lug thereon adapted to ride in the groove on the shaft of each door to rotate the same, mounted adjacent the doors whereby the Weight of a passenger acting on said treadle directly operates as the Vdoor opening force, and a second step carried by said treadle.

18. The combination with a vehicle having entrance and exit Ways and movable barriers mounted on rotatable shafts in said Ways, of a treadle plate adapted to serve as a step mounted in the platform of said vehicle adjacent said barriers, a second-step carried by said treadle vmeans toloclr said treadle plate against movement and fold Isaid second step, andmeans including a collarfor'the shafts ofsaid barriers, mechanically connecting means on said barriers;

l 19. The combination with a vehicle having entrance and exit Ways and barriers mounted onrotatableshafts in said Ways, of a movable treadle plate mounted in the platform of the vehicle adjacent` said barriers adapted-to serveias a step When at theend of its movement, means to lock said treadle plate against movement, and means, ineluding a collar for the shafts ofv saidbarriers,

connecting ysaid treadle plate and said barriers to effect the movement of the doors upon movement ofl the treadle plate, when said locking means are removed, and means for controlling the Vmovement of the treadle plate.

20. The combination with a vehicle having entrance and exitvvays and'barriers mounted on rotatableshafts in said Ways, of a movable treadle plate mounted in the platform ofy the vehicle adjacent said barriers adapted to, serve as a step When-at'the end of its moveieee.

. HAROLD ROWNTREE.

V`SU

ment, a second foldable' step carried by said 'iou 

